TMJ/TMD Treatment Becomes Essential If Affected by Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Are you affected by facial and tooth pain on or close to the jaw area? It is an indicator that you are affected by a temporomandibular joint disorder. Many factors can cause facial pain making it essential to identify TMJ symptoms before seeking medical attention.

You can begin frantically searching for information online to determine if you are affected by a TMJ disorder. Still, we suggest you read the guidelines in this blog to understand what the disorder is and the symptoms it can burden you with. TMJ treatment is undoubtedly available if you are affected by this particular problem.

TMJ Disorders — What Are They?

TMJ is a phrase used to refer to a condition affecting the temporomandibular joint. The issue arises when the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull stops functioning as required. The temporomandibular joint is essential in our body and is vital for moving your jaw forward, backward, or sideways. Any issue preventing the movement is categorized as a TMJ disorder.

If you are affected by TMJ disorder, you may feel your jaw is clicking, popping, or is locked. The precise reasons for the disease are challenging to determine. Some experts associate the condition with bruxism or genetics, but the problem is generally temporary and can quickly be relieved with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. Surgery is considered a last resort when conservative methods to treat the condition have failed.

The Causes of TMJ Disorders

The ADA believes approximately 15 percent of Americans experience facial pain of some type. The pain may include headaches, earaches, or jaw pain. TMJ disorders affect women more than men and are also common in people between the ages of 20 to 40. The discomfort caused by TMJ disorders can either be temporary or the last for many years. As the precise reasons for the disease are challenging to determine, dentists link the symptoms to problems with the jaw muscles or joints. Some of the reasons for TMJ disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, clenching and grinding of the teeth, injuries to the head, neck, or jaw, and others.

Natural Remedies for TMJ Disorders

The TMJ specialist recommends natural remedies to treat TMJ disorders by having a strict diet and mineral supplements. The following diet recommendations prove helpful for relieving TMJ disorders.

• Easy to chew foods, soups, stews, smoothies, or cooked vegetables.
• Omega-3 fatty acids found in wild fish helps to relieve inflammation and pain.
• Having smaller meals is a recommended TMJ therapy because it helps to stabilize blood sugar. Grinding of the teeth is a common occurrence when your blood sugar fluctuates.
• Having foods rich in magnesium also relieves the tension in the muscles to promote relaxation.

What Are Your Options If You Are Diagnosed with a TMJ Disorder?

Your options to relieve the pain experienced from TMJ disorders will depend upon the dental evaluation conducted by Lincoln Dental Associates. The treatments offered could be different and include:

• Medications, such as anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.
• Muscle relaxants for a couple of days or weeks to relieve the pain from the TMJ disorder.
• Tricyclic antidepressants, which are commonly used for depression, are also proving useful for relieving pain.

TMJ disorders can also be treated with non-drug therapies which include:

• Physical therapy in the form of exercises for stretching and strengthening the muscles of the jaw.
• The dentist in Lincoln, NE, also recommends occlusal appliances to treat jaw pain by inserting an oral splint over the patient’s teeth.
• Counseling is also used to educate patients as an effective preventive measure. Patients are recommended to avoid behaviors that can aggravate the pain from TMJ disorders like biting their fingernails, leaning on their chin, and clenching or grinding their teeth.

Surgical procedures are recommended as a last resort, which may include arthroscopic surgery to insert a thin tube into the joint space. In extreme conditions, open joint surgery may also become necessary to treat the disease of TMJ disorders.

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint will not hamper your ability to function normally in your everyday activities. Still, they can frustrate you by persistently causing pain and discomfort when eating, talking, or moving your jaw. Therefore obtaining treatment for the condition is better than ignoring it to relieve the trouble you are facing.